Content Writer at SocialBee
Trends move fast, and it’s easy to lose sight of what’s popular on social media if you’re not constantly online and scrolling. However, who has the time for that while also running a brand? Learning how to find trending audio on Instagram will prove to be a real time-saver in the long run.
From a song topping the charts to a funny movie or TV show snippet, almost any audio clip can gain popularity and become a key part of boosting the reach of your Reels. The secret is to know where to look for them and how to use them to your advantage.
In this article, we’ll break down the best ways to find trending audio on Instagram. Let’s get started!
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Short summary
Why is using trending sounds important on Instagram?
Using trending sounds on Instagram can improve your visibility and engagement. While trending music can be added to static posts and carousels as well, they have the biggest impact on Instagram Reels thanks to the way the video feed works.
Because the algorithm favors content that is entertaining and up-to-date with the latest trends, a Reel that features popular audio will gain more traction in the Instagram Reels feed.
Incorporate the sounds as naturally as possible into your content so they match your branding. There are plenty of things you can achieve through audio, from getting a laugh out of your audience to setting a mood or conveying a feeling.
10 ways to find trending audio on Instagram
Finding trending audio on Instagram isn’t complicated if you know where to look.
Here are ten ways you can find trending songs and sounds on Instagram:
- Trending Instagram Reels
- The Instagram Creators account
- Instagram’s trending audio list
- YouTube Shorts
- TikTok
- Meta Sounds Collection
- Top Instagram accounts
- The Explore page
- Trending songs on streaming platforms
- Sound of music suggestions when creating a post
1. Trending Instagram Reels
When you’re preparing a social media strategy, a large part of the research will take some scrolling on your part. In this case, you’ll have to browse the Reels feed to find what is trending in terms of audio.
Instagram’s algorithm picks up on your niche and interests, so chances are your feed will already be tailored. This means that the audio that you’ll encounter will be more often than not relevant to your own brand.
Look at the trending Reels and check out the sounds they are using. When you find one you like, click on the name of the audio next to the music icon at the bottom of your screen to open the sound page. Trending sounds will sometimes have an arrow next to their name instead of the music note.
You’ll be able to see how many times it was used, where it originates from, and what other content it was used in.
This way you can easily determine the level of popularity the audio has, and draw inspiration from how other creators used it. When you’re ready, tap on Use audio and jump on the latest Reels trends.
2. The Instagram Creators account
Instagram’s @Creators account is a great source of information for everything when it comes to trends and best practices. They post highlights from creators, insights from insiders at Meta, and Instagram tips and tricks for better content creation.
Keep an eye on their Trend Reports and you’ll never misswhat’s trending on Instagram, including popular audios.
3. Instagram’s trending audio list
This feature is only available in the US for professional accounts on the Instagram app, but if you qualify, it’s very helpful. It simplifies the entire process of searching for trending audio by giving you a list of 50 popular sounds at any given moment.
Here is how you can access the list:
- Launch the Instagram mobile app.
- Open your profile.
- Go to the Professional dashboard.
- Select Trending audio.
4. YouTube Shorts
With so many platforms now having short-form vertical video feeds, brands, and creators take advantage by cross-posting their content. For this reason, sounds that are trending on YouTube Shorts will often be trending on Instagram as well.
To find trending audio on YouTube Shorts:
- Open the YouTube app and tap the “+” button to create a new post.
- Select Add sound at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and find the list of Top sounds.
- Note the song’s title and artist, then search for the same track on Instagram.
5. TikTok
Just like you can find trending audio on Shorts that can be just as popular on Instagram, the same goes for TikTok. A lot of trends, especially video ones, go beyond the platform they were created on and spread to others that accommodate that format.
To find trending audio on TikTok:
A. Use the TikTok sound library:
- Tap the “+” button to create a new video.
- Select Add sound at the top of the screen.
- Browse the Recommended section to see popular audio clips.
B. Check the “For You” page
- Scroll through your For You feed and take note of sounds used repeatedly in viral videos.
- Tap the sound name in the bottom-left corner to view other videos using the same audio.
C. Explore TikTok’s Creative Center (desktop only)
- Visit TikTok Creative Center and navigate to the Trending Sounds section.
- Filter by region and time frame to see what’s currently popular.
D. Follow trend-focused creators
- Accounts like @tiktoktrends and other trend-spotting pages share weekly updates on popular sounds.
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6. Meta Sound Collection
The Meta Sound Collection platform is a must-have for anyone who uses Facebook and Instagram in their content strategy. This tool from the Meta Business suite simplifies the process of finding music and sound effects to add to your videos by giving you a suite of filters to use, from genre and duration to tempo and even mood.
Since your goal is to find trending audio, make sure to select Most popular in the Sort by filter to get the best results.
Keep in mind when using this tool to find sounds for your content that the songs and effects are only free to use on platforms owned by Meta. They won’t be of help if you plan to use them on Shorts or TikTok.
7. Top Instagram accounts
The most popular creators on Instagram reached that top spot because they know what works and what doesn’t on the platform. This includes using the best audio when creating their Instagram Reels.
Find creators from your niche that consistently get good views and engagement and monitor what they’re doing. Not only will you be able to find top trending sounds directly from their posts, but you’ll also know they are successful in your industry.
8. The Explore page
Popular videos won’t just show up in your Reels feed, but on the Explore page too. Check out what sounds those posts are using and visit their pages the same way you would from the Reels feed.
From the explore page you can search for specific terms or hashtags that interest you, and then select Audio to view relevant sounds. This is another way to narrow down your options even more and find a song or clip that best fits your post.
The Explore page is also tailored by the algorithm to your interests, so you’ll be sure to find some audio that works well with your content.
9. Trending songs on streaming platforms
A great way to discover trending sounds for Instagram is by checking popular playlists on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Playlists such as Viral Hits, TikTok Top 50, or Instagram Reels Trends often highlight songs that are gaining traction on social media.
Once you find a song that seems popular, search for it in the Instagram Reels audio library by typing the track’s name. If it has the “Trending” arrow next to it, it’s a good sign that it’s being widely used. Jump on the trend early to boost your reach.
10. Sound or music suggestions when creating a post
Instagram makes it super easy to find trending audio while creating a post. When you go to make a Reel, tap Add Music and check out the Trending section to see what’s popular. The app automatically curates sound recommendations based on current trends and your activity.
Another way to discover trending audio is through the suggested sounds that appear when you upload a video. Instagram often suggests tracks that align with your content type or that are currently gaining momentum. Keep an eye on these recommendations, as they can help you ride the wave of a growing trend!
Frequently asked questions
It’s time to find trending sounds and go viral on Instagram!
Whether you’re scrolling through the Reels explore page or using other platforms to track down the latest trends, there are plenty of places to find and save popular audio. Now that you know 10 ways to do so, all that’s left is to use these sounds to make viral videos.
To increase the reach of your content even more, you’ll need a steady posting schedule and a good idea of the best times to post. You get all that and more with SocialBee. From AI-powered suggestions to performance analytics, you’ll have all the information you need to craft a stand-out Instagram strategy.
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